CSBA outreach on LCFF begins in earnest
Regional sessions, webinars, briefs will keep boards informed
Published: August 27, 2013
Questions about the Local Control Funding Formula abound, so CSBA is launching a statewide effort to keep governance teams informed about how the new system impacts them.
CSBA experts have begun visiting meetings of school board members throughout the state with details of the new law. In addition, a series of interactive, in-depth workshops kicks off Sept. 6 in Fresno, followed by sessions in Los Angeles, San Diego, Contra Costa and Sacramento, with other locations being scheduled. The in-person sessions respond to the thirst for information and guidance that was evident at CSBA’s Aug. 2 webinar, “Local Control Funding Formula: What Governing Board Members Need to Know Now.” Record registration for that event, along with numerous questions and requests for information, made it clear that board members in regions throughout the state would appreciate the outreach.
Executive Director Vernon M. Billy, along with senior staff, will provide an overview of LCFF at most events and delve deeper into various aspects of the law, answer questions and leave the audience with resources to use locally.
“The time is now for local board members to lead their districts in thinking and planning around LCFF,” said Billy. “These events are the first of several strategies designed to provide our members with the information they need to successfully govern during this important process.”
Other regional opportunities to hear from CSBA’s policy experts, archived webcasts and webinars, and a new series of governance briefs and fact sheets are available to educate board members anywhere in the state. See them at www.csba.org/LCFF.
Regional input sessions
Regional sessions that state officials convened this month to gather input about implementation of the Local Control Funding Formula drew capacity crowds. Comments from CSBA members, parents and education and advocacy groups revealed a clamor for more information and details about the law, as well as concern about forthcoming accountability requirements.
The three sessions, held at six locations over three days from Aug. 8-13, were facilitated by WestEd on behalf of the State Board of Education and California Department of Education. They provided local governing board members and education advocates an opportunity to weigh in as the State Board and CDE develop regulations, templates and guidance for local educational agencies to implement LCFF.
“LCFF is a major restructuring of school finance and presents significant opportunities and challenges to local governing boards to make decisions to support their students and school systems,” said CSBA Legislative Advocate Andrea Ball, who thanked the local board members, CSBA officers and delegates who testified and submitted comments. “Their voices will be critical for informing State Board and CDE decisions on key elements of LCFF.”
Los Angeles and San Diego
In Los Angeles—with a remote tie-in from San Diego—on Aug. 8, CSBA Vice President Jesús Holguín and Director-at-Large, Black, Emma Turner spoke about the role of school boards in convening stakeholders, as well as the need to respect local boards’ authority—the principle of subsidiarity. They also pointed out the need for up-to-date information from the state as LCFF is implemented.
Overflow crowds at the Los Angeles County Office of Education spoke about parent engagement and the importance of addressing the needs of English learners, African-American students and foster youth.
Sacramento and Redding
An Aug. 12 event in Sacramento included an audience in Redding at the Shasta County Office of Education participating via video.
Teri Vigil, a Fall River Joint Unified School District board member, spoke at the Redding location about the needs of small, rural districts. “We have challenges that other districts don’t share, she said: “Large transportation costs, as we are 1,200 square miles. High socioeconomic challenges, and a large English language learner population. Please consider these areas when funding small rural schools, as most show all of your target areas.”
Priscilla Cox, a board member from Elk Grove Unified School District, participated in the Sacramento session, where groups representing school boards, superintendents, business officials, parents, school personnel, civil rights advocates, charter schools, English learners and a variety of nonprofits testified.
“As a long-time board member, I am very enthused about the new opportunities afforded with the dramatic and long-awaited changes in school funding and the prospect of working with our communities to actively engage parents, employees, and students in the discussion of strategies to provide the best public education possible,” Cox said.
She called for “local control and flexibility” to include a “consistent, adequate, predictable funding source with the ability for governance teams to designate the best use of funds at the district level with collaboration from school sites and parent community.”
Bakersfield and Fresno
The Aug. 13 session at Kern COE in Bakersfield included a Fresno audience by remote feed. The Fresno audience included a number of representatives from the Hmong community who called for recognition of cross-cultural differences in education.
In Bakersfield, Kern county Superintendent Christine Frazier and State Board of Education member Aida Molina welcomed the participants. Karen Stapf-Walters, executive director of the State Board, expressed appreciation for members of the public taking time to attend and provide recommendations on LCFF.
During the session there were over 40 comments from participants at the two sites. Several cited the need for districts to reach out to parents at times and locations that will allow them to participate. A number of district superintendents commented on the need for technical assistance and support to be provided in a manner similar to the “AB 1200 process”—that is, county office support when needed and a “FCMAT-like” entity that can call upon experts from around the state to provide targeted assistance.
CSBA Region 9 Director Chris Ungar and Director-at-Large, Hispanic, Kathryn Ramirez were on hand to testify. Ramirez noted the need for districts to use funds for districtwide as well as school programs in order to serve students. Ungar spoke of the importance of community engagement in meeting the goals of LCFF to align local accountability plans for improved student outcomes with budget expenditures. He also called for clear, consistent and timely information from the state on the template the State Board will develop for Local Control and Accountability Plans. Although he did not testify, San Luis Obispo County Superintendent Julian Crocker was also at the session and took time to talk with attendees.
Stay up-to-date on LCFF resources at www.csba.org/LCFF.